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Surgeons at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust performed the first artificial cornea transplant in England on a 91-year-old patient, Cecil Farley, whose vision was restored after a previous human cornea transplant failed.
The artificial cornea, called EndoArt, is attached to the eye with a single stitch and a gas bubble, replacing the inner lining of the damaged cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye.
This new procedure eliminates the year-long wait times associated with human cornea transplants and reduces the risk of rejection since it is not human tissue.
The artificial cornea could potentially replace human cornea transplants in the future, providing a readily available solution for patients with damaged corneas.
The surgery, performed in February, has already improved Mr. Farley's vision, allowing him to see his wife and resume daily activities.
The research team, led by Mr. Poole and his colleague Hanbin Lee, has successfully implanted artificial corneas in four patients, with promising initial results indicating improved vision.
